Twisty Triple Palm - Vecchia?

[iDesign]

At Rancho Soledad (Southern California) I saw these thin tall palms, and was thinking they might work in my front yard...

A couple questions if I may...

1. Are these "vecchia arecina"?
   Looking through the list of palms on Rancho Soledad's list, that's my best guess.
    
2. Would they look dumb in a yard, like in the second photo?
   I live in a plant-friendly area of San Diego (zone 10a), and am trying to replace my boring palms with more interesting ones. Curious if they could handle a *little* sun, or if they would get too tall, and look silly. I was originally thinking of putting a single King palm in this spot, but these are MUCH more interesting (if they would work there.

Thanks for confirming the species, and for any advice you can give!

[quaman58]

It's hard to tell from that picture, but they could be. They seem pretty think trunked, but maybe that's because they've been in a pot for so long. Normally, they should be as girthy as a king palm. Any chance they might be Ptychosperma (elegans)? If they are Veitchia arecina (sometimes sold as V. "Soledad" by them) they generally grow reasonable well here; nothing like in the tropics, but good enough for us.

[quaman58]

For what it's worth, if you want a single "statement" palm, try Roystonea, aka Royal Palm

[Mike Evans]

7 hours ago, quaman58 said:

For what it's worth, if you want a single "statement" palm, try Roystonea, aka Royal Palm

But, Don't plant a Royal by the driveway where you park cars, for obvious reasons.  They look like a Ptychosperma sp.

[PalmatierMeg]

I say Ptychosperma sp. Veitchia arecina is a much beefier palm. What you got looks okay to me but I'm no lover of "perfect" yards. A single Ptychosperma elegans would look good. But no Roystoneas in that postage stamp front yard.

Welcome to PalmTalk

[iDesign]

Wow, so amazingly helpful!!!

Three more quick questions...

1) How much taller do you think that triple Ptychosperma would get?
I love the height it is now, and could handle a little taller in the front yard, but might look silly at double that size ;-)

2) Do you think the Ptychosperma would look better in the spot shown in the first photo below?
I was going to put a couple really tall "Chamaedorea Costaricana" plants in the spot shown in the first photo below (to balance out the other three large trees, and replace a Double Queen Palm that was previously there). But maybe the triple Ptychosperma would be even better in that spot? I love the look of a tall skinny plant there, and was origially thinking of putting a couple super-tall "Costaricanas" there... but I was worried that spot might be too sunny for Costaricanas. Any thoughts on Costaricana vs Ptychosperma for that spot?

3) Would a "Royal Palm" be better than a "Majesty Palm" in the front yard, if I went that route?
Funny you mentioned the Royal Palm, as the "backup" palm I was considering (Majesty) is very similar. See photo #2 below for my mockup using a "Majesty Palm" for the front year. I'm seeing Majesty palms all over the place in San Diego, but haven't seen Royal Palm yet. But if it's superior in either look or function, I'll search it out!
* There was a full-size double Queen Palm in that spot previously, so it can handle a pretty large palm there.

Thank you again for your invaluable advice!

Photo #1 - Considering putting the triple Ptychosperma in the back yard instead. Or would Constaracana be better here?

Photo #2 - Mockup showing a "Majesty Palm" in the front yard. Debate is now between three options: 1) Triple Ptychosperma, 2) Majesty Palm, 3) Royal Palm 4) Other cool palm? (I was looking at "Teddy Bear Palm" at one point)

Edited January 18, 2021 by idesign123

[PalmatierMeg]

Majesties are so common and so "bleah" I wouldn't waste the space on them (and I've had two for nearly 30 years). They are water and fertilizer hogs and you already have a water problem in Cali. Royals are simply huge and one would fill up your teeny front yard. And if one of those 60lb fronds dropped on that pretty tile roof you'd rue the day you ever hear of royals. I think dual Chambeyronias would be a fantastic look. Dypsis pembana is sparsely clumping and could give you a natural triple. Many Ptchospermas grow small to medium size but you can't order a palm to stop growing when it reaches your personal design limit. Chamaedorea costaricana is a clustering palm with multiple skinny little stems. You should know that most Chamaedoreas are understory palms and happiest in shade.

Maybe some SD PTers will chime in with ideas for palms that grow well in SO CA. Almost all of them I can't grow and know by research only. What about Rhopalostylis, Howea or Hedyscepe or some of the Dypsis that prefer a mediterranean climate? What about a Kentiopsis, Burretiokentia, Parajubaea or one of the mule palm crosses? If you like the majesty palm (Ravenea rivularis) look into one of the less common Raveneas. Have you considered adding a fan/palmate palm to your pinnate mix - a Brahea or Livistona?

Really look around and do your research so you avoid the overused plantings slapped into most suburban neighborhoods.

[Silas_Sancona]

idesign123,  Welcome to the Forum,

Taken care of properly, Majestys can look fantastic in S. Cal. but ys.. lots of water/ fert. Great option if you have a spot that stays kind of moist/ is watered regularly.  Thy do get big in time however, but not nearly as massive as a Royal. Personally like them in groups rather than individual specimens.

That said, ( and as mentioned ), lots of other great options to research as well.. If they we're more available, X Foxy Lady is a great, tropical looking option that is considered hardier than both parents of the cross.. Looks similar to Veitchia arecina, but a bit thicker ( fronds ) Other options include Kentiopsis oliviformis, numerous Dypsis.. inc. Dypsis lanceolata, Teddy Bears... ( among several other sp. ) Can't possibly have too many Flame throwers ( Chambeyronia )

As mentioned, your front yard may be too small for including Royals.  As nice as Fishtail ( Genus Caryota ) palms are, they're monocarpic meaning as soon as they flower, they're done and slowly  die. A few are clustering so only individual stems die but the fruit/ sap can cause allergic reactions in anyone trimming them.

Individual stems of Arenga engleri are also monocarpic and produce a potentially irritating sap, but much easier to manage, flowers are extremely fragrant as well. Great option for a tropical "wall" of green where you might desire privacy between your residence and a neighbors.

No doubt fellow members from the area will share their thoughts on many other great options to consider..

[Butch]

How about a simple foxtail?... Pretty common, but they have the “Royal” look, without the massiveness...

Butch